LETTER: Band Together To Revitalize M.V.!

It was disheartening to read about the upcoming closure of Echo Bay marina. The impact to our community could be devastating. It was such a loss when Overton Beach closed. But, I digress.

This is an opportunity to get our community to band together and make Overton and Logandale a tourist destination. With the Scenic Byway proposal near completion, once approved it will draw visitors to our valley. However, we need to have a reason for them to stop and stay awhile.

Overton’s charm can be enhanced with a little effort. A few benches and barrels, some color, a few murals, a banner spanning the boulevard promoting upcoming events. Some articles in Las Vegas newspapers to promote visitors to come through our valley.

Lets partner with the local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Nevada Tourism Council, and with the Valley of Fire, getting more of their visitors to continue down the road to our community. We still have a few restaurants, stores, hotels and gas stations. Time to add some regular events along the boulevard to get people to stop – farmer’s markets, outdoor art shows, a little music, things that will make visitors want to park and walk around town.

Let’s support our local stores – the less we support them, the higher the prices will go. They can’t offer lower prices unless they have volume sales. Pay that extra few dollars in town, save gas, time and wear and tear on your vehicle. If everyone in the area spends more here, we might see prices fall. We want to have a reason for our children and grandchildren to stay in the community. We want to keep jobs here, encourage more business, and be able to shop without leaving town.

I don’t want the economy, the closing of Echo Bay, and complacency to make our community deteriorate any further. Let’s band together and figure out ways to revitalize the area. Lets find support, grants, partnerships, events, new ideas, anything to make the area a destination.

We want visitors to spend time and money enjoying the charm, activities and amenities, that with a little effort, we could offer.

Anyone interested in forming a committee to explore and execute ways of revitalizing our community, please call me at 702-592-5070, or email me at savemoapavalley@gmail.com